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Prospect turns close call in its favor

By surrendering 1 run in the top of first inning, Prospect's softball team actually gained momentum.

Visiting Wheeling loaded the bases with no outs, but freshman pitcher Alyssa Cacini escaped by giving up only a sacrifice fly to right by cleanup batter Lauren Hart.

The Knights then loaded the bases themselves in the bottom of the first and ended up putting 6 runs on the board en route to a 14-1 five-inning victory on Tuesday.

It was Prospect's third straight win in the Mid-Suburban East as it improved to 7-8 overall and 3-4 in the division.

"Once we got the momentum, we were able to capitalize on it," said Knights senior first baseman Casey Lenski (1-for-2, 3 runs), who will study at Missouri University next year. "Everyone did a great job. Out of my four years, I think this is the closest team we've had. We're all good friends and get along so well together."

The Knights' offense has come together in the last three East games, scoring 49 runs in 13 offensive innings.

Leading the attack on Tuesday were Cacini and Delilah Malczewski, who each went 3-for-4.

Cacini, the Knights' leadoff batter, also helped her own cause with 3 RBI.

On the mound, she struck out three with a 3-hitter that improved her record to 2-3.

"Alyssa has some things to work on but she is a good, strong kid and a hard worker," said Prospect coach Jim Adair. "She has very good velocity."

The only hits for Wheeling (2-10, 2-5) off Cacini were a single to right by Kirsten Wilhelm (third inning), a single to left by Christina Ambrose (fourth) and a single to center in the fifth by Remy Jankowski, a freshman pitcher who entered the game for freshman Dakota Mendrano.

"We had out chances in the first two innings, loading the bases twice (with one out in the second inning)," said Wheeling coach Mike Caringella. "But we came away with only 1 run. They loaded the bases and took advantage. They can hit."

Other top hitters for the Knights were Ally Schuldt (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Jenny Krengiel (1-for-2, RBI), Emily Saenz (2-for-3, RBI) and Lauren Caldrone (1-for-3, 2 RBI).

Saenz also came up big in right field, where she made two nifty catches.

The first was on the run in foul territory to snare a popout for the first out of the third inning. The second came when she charged in for a scoop catch to take a hit away from Karlie Orlando in the top of the fifth.

"Emily works real hard in all our outfield drills," Adair said. "She's played every position except for pitcher and catcher for us. She also made a couple of other good catches in our past few games."

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